Shipping Document Protector Box

ABSTRACT

A shipping document protector box is an apparatus that is used store shipping documents for a container with the container. The apparatus is also used to recognize if the container was mishandled. The apparatus includes a collapsible enclosure, an insertion window, a transparent window cover, a window extension section, and a plurality of perforated lines. The collapsible enclosure is used to house the shipping documents and is meant to deform if additional weight is stacked onto the container. The collapsible enclosure surrounds the document storing area. The insertion window is used to place the shipping documents within the apparatus. The window extension section and the plurality of perforated lines are used to expand the insertion window while removing the shipping documents from the container. Strap holes and strip-and-stick tape are positioned on the collapsible enclosure to attach the apparatus to the container.

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 61/563,465 filed on Nov. 23, 2011.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for a box. More specifically, the box is a shipping document protection box to be attached to a container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When shipping a container such as a pallet, the container often becomes damaged during transit. This results to damaged items within the container and is an expense that must be paid by one of the parties involved in the shipment. In addition, it is often difficult to know what is in a container. Shipping documents such as packing lists and bills of order are often attached to the container. These documents may be difficult to find. Even worse, these documents often become lost, making it very difficult to determine the contents of the container. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a box that attaches to a container including but not limited to a pallet into which shipping documents may be placed. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a box that warns not to place items on top of the container. It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a box that may be attached to the container to be easily visible and to prevent shipping documents from becoming lost. The present invention therefore replaces packing list envelopes, eliminates folding documents, keeps the pallet secure and prevents stacking of other pallets on top of the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

One known prior art is a product that is an anti-stacking warning device and stacking damage detector. The prior art is a rectangular pyramidal warning cone that can be attached to a shipping container to warn people not to stack another container on top of the shipping container. The prior art comprises holes through which a strap may be inserted. However, the prior art does not comprise an optional strip-and-stick tape to allow the cone to be placed anywhere on the shipping container. Moreover, the prior art does not allow a user to insert shipping documents into the cone so that the documents may be easily located and protected. These features not found in the prior art limit the usefulness of the prior art and other similar shipping warning apparatuses.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the present invention, wherein the transparent window cover is not peeled off the collapsible enclosure.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the present invention, wherein the transparent window cover is peeling off the collapsible enclosure.

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the present invention, wherein the non-stick cover is not peeled off the plurality of strip-and-stick tapes.

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the present invention, wherein the non-stick cover is peeling off the plurality of the strip-and-stick tapes.

FIG. 5 is a front tilted view of the present invention without the transparent window cover.

FIG. 6 is a back tilted view of the present invention without the transparent window cover.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention highlighting the collapsible enclosure, the color coating, and the plurality of printed warnings.

FIG. 8 is a flatten view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the present invention is made of one piece of corrugated cardboard.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the present invention is a shipping document protector box that is used to store any and all kinds of shipping documents for a pallet of materials with the pallet, which prevents the shipping documents from being physically separated from the pallet. The shipping documents can include, but are not limited to, bills of lading (BOL), packing lists, invoices, miscellaneous customs documents, etc. A user can further include a radio frequency identification device (RFID), a time and temperature device, a shock monitor, or any other desired device chosen by the user. These devices or meters provide reliable information that aids in the shipping and receiving function, detects changes in temperature, and provides information concerning the handling of the shipment and the prevention of damage. In addition, the shipping document protector box is preferably attached to the top of the pallet, but the shipping document protector box can also be attached to the sides of the pallet. If the container has fragile contents, then the present invention can be used as a warning not to stack additional materials onto the pallet. Also if the container has fragile contents, then the present invention can be used as a mishandling indicator. The shipping document protector box mainly comprises a collapsible enclosure 1, a document storing volume 5, an insertion window 6, a transparent window cover 7, a window extension section 8, a plurality of perforated lines 9, an at least one pair of strap holes 10, a color coating 11, and a plurality of printed warnings 12. The collapsible enclosure 1 is a protective shell for the container's shipping documents and secures those shipping documents to the container. The collapsible enclosure 1 is flimsy so that the collapsible enclosure 1 is crushed once additional materials are placed onto the pallet. Thus, someone can determine if a pallet with fragile contents was mishandled by placing additional materials on the pallet because the present invention will have collapsed and have a crooked shape. The document storing volume 5 is located within the collapsible enclosure 1 and is delineated by the collapsible enclosure 1. The document storing volume 5 can be designed to store any size shipping documents.

The collapsible enclosure 1 can be designed in a variety of shapes. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the collapsible enclosure 1 has a rectangular box shape and is made of compact corrugated cardboard with the E-flute configuration, which can be seen in FIG. 8. In alternative embodiments, the collapsible enclosure 1 can be made of compact corrugated cardboard with different configurations such as an A-flute, a B-flute, a C-flute, or an F-flute. In other alternative embodiments, the collapsible enclosure 1 can also be made of any kind of flat stock paper or any kind of plastic that is easily flexible. For all embodiments of the present invention, the collapsible enclosure 1 comprises a top portion 2, a lateral portion 3, and a bottom portion 4, which are shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The lateral portion 3 is perpendicularly positioned to both the top portion 2 and the bottom portion 4. The top portion 2 is perimetrically connected to the lateral portion 3, and the bottom portion 4 is perimetrically connected to the lateral portion 3 opposite to the bottom portion 4. The configuration of the top portion 2, the lateral portion 3, and the bottom portion 4 allows all the other components to be properly arranged on the present invention. In the preferred embodiment, the top portion 2, the lateral portion 3, and the bottom portion 4 are made of one piece of corrugated cardboard and are folded into the proper configuration. As seen in FIG. 8, the preferred embodiment will also comprise a plurality of tabs and a plurality of slots, which engage each other in order to hold the one piece of corrugated cardboard in the proper configuration. Also in the preferred embodiment, the one piece of corrugated cardboard is folded into the rectangular box shape with the dimensions of 4.5 inches by 3 inches by 11.25 inches.

The insertion window 6 is used as an opening for the collapsible enclosure 1 in order to place the shipping documents within the document storing volume 5 and to retrieve the shipping documents from within document storing volume 5. The insertion window 6 traverses through the top portion 2 and into the document storing volume 5, which allows the user to access the document storing volume 5 through the collapsible enclosure 1. The insertion window 6 should be large enough to easily fit the shipping documents through the collapsible enclosure 1 and into the document storing volume 5 without bending or folding the shipping documents. The transparent window cover 7 is perimetrically adhered to the top portion 2 around the insertion window 6. Thus, the transparent window cover 7 allows the user secure the shipping documents within the present invention and allows the user to still see some part of the shipping documents through the insertion window 6. The transparent window cover 7 allows both the sender and the receiver to easily recognize the shipping documents within the present invention. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the transparent window cover 7 is made of acetate, but the transparent window cover 7 can be made from any kind of suitable material. The window extension section 8 is positioned on top portion 2 adjacent to the insertion window 6. The window extension section 8 is used to enlarge the insertion window 6 so that the user can easily and efficiently withdraw the shipping documents from the present invention. The window extension section 8 is delineated by the plurality of perforated lines 9, which traverse into the top portion 2. The plurality of perforated lines 9 provides the physical means to neatly rip off the window extension section 8 from top portion 2 and create a larger opening on the collapsible enclosure 1 than the insertion window 6.

The present invention can be attached to the pallet of materials through a variety of methods, some of which are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Usually, the pallet of materials is bound together with straps, which can be used to attach the present invention to the pallet of materials. Proper positioning of the at least one pair of strap holes 10 allows the present invention to be adequately secured to the pallet of materials. The at least one pair of strap holes 10 traverses through the lateral portion 3 and is positioned adjacent to the bottom portion 4, which allows a strap to press the bottom portion 4 against the pallet of materials. The at least one pair of strap holes 10 is diametrically opposed to each other on the lateral portion 3 so that a strap can traverse into the present invention through one strap hole and can traverse out of the present invention through the other strap hole. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the at least one pair of strap holes 10 comprises a first pair of the strap holes and a second pair of strap holes. The rectangular box shape for the preferred embodiment provides a length and a width of the present invention so that the first pair of strap holes is positioned along the length of the present invention and the second pair of strap holes is positioned along the width of the present invention. Consequently, the first pair of strap holes is positioned perpendicularly to the second pair of strap holes. Another means to attach the present invention to the pallet of materials is the plurality of strip-and-stick tapes 13, which are used if the pallet of materials do not have any straps or if the at least one pair of strap holes 10 becomes difficult to use in certain situations. Each of the plurality of strip-and-stick tapes 13 comprises an adhesion layer 14 and a non-stick cover 15. The adhesion layer 14 is used to stick the present invention onto the pallet of materials. The non-stick cover 15 prevents the adhesion layer 14 from inadvertently sticking to arbitrary objects. The non-stick cover 15 can be peeled off the adhesion layer 14 when the user wants to attach the present invention to the pallet of materials. Thus, the non-stick cover 15 is attached across the adhesion layer 14 for each of the plurality of strip-and-stick tapes 13. The adhesion layer 14 is also connected to the bottom portion 4 opposite to the non-stick cover 15 for each of the plurality of strip-and-stick tapes 13, which allows the adhesion layer 14 to attach the bottom portion 4 against the pallet of the materials once the non-stick cover 15 is removed. In other alterative embodiments, the present invention can be glued or taped to the pallet of materials.

As can be seen in FIG. 7, the present invention utilizes two components as a warning against stacking additional items on the pallet of materials: the color coating 11 and the plurality of printed warnings 12. The color coating 11 is superimposed on the enclosure. The color coating 11 is used to visually accentuate the present invention so that the present invention is more easily recognized as a warning against stacking onto the pallet of materials. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the color coating 11 is red, which is generically recognized as a color of caution. The plurality of printed warnings 12 is positioned on color coating 11 and is used as a written or symbolic notification that states not to place additional items on the pallet of materials. In the preferred embodiment, the plurality of printed warnings 12 could include a written note that reads “DO NOT CRUSH” and/or a “no” symbol.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A shipping document protector box comprises, a collapsible enclosure; a document storing volume; an insertion window; a transparent window cover; a window extension section; a plurality of perforated lines; an at least one pair of strap holes; a colored coating; a plurality of printed warnings; a plurality of strip-and-stick tapes; and said collapsible enclosure comprises a top portion, a lateral portion, and a bottom portion.
 2. The shipping document protector box as claimed in claim 1 comprises, said lateral portion being positioned to both said top portion and said bottom portion; said top portion being perimetrically connected to said lateral portion; and said bottom portion being perimetrically connected to said lateral portion opposite to said top portion.
 3. The shipping document protector box as claimed in claim 1 comprises, said document storing volume being located within said collapsible enclosure; said document storing volume being delineated by said collapsible enclosure; said insertion window traversing through said top portion and into said document storing volume; and said transparent window cover being perimetrically adhered to said top portion around said insertion window.
 4. The shipping document protector box as claimed in claim 1 comprises, said window extension section being positioned on said top portion adjacent to said insertion window; said window extension section being delineated by said plurality of perforated lines; and said plurality of perforated lines traversing through said top portion.
 5. The shipping document protector box as claimed in claim 1 comprises, said at least one pair of strap holes traversing through said lateral portion; said at least one pair of strap holes being positioned adjacent to said bottom portion; and said at least one pair of strap holes being diametrically opposed to each other on said lateral portion.
 6. The shipping document protector box as claimed in claim 5 comprises, said at least one pair of strap holes comprises a first pair of strap holes and a second pair of strap holes; and said first pair of strap holes being positioned perpendicularly to said second pair of strap holes.
 7. The shipping document protector box as claimed in claim 1 comprises, said color coating being superimposed on said enclosure; and said plurality of printed warnings being positioned on said color coating.
 8. The shipping document protector box as claimed in claim 1 comprises, each of said plurality of strip-and-stick tapes comprises an adhesion layer and a non-stick cover; said non-stick cover being attached across said adhesion layer; and said adhesion layer being connected to said bottom portion opposite to said non-stick cover.
 9. A shipping document protector box comprises, a collapsible enclosure; a document storing volume; an insertion window; a transparent window cover; a window extension section; a plurality of perforated lines; an at least one pair of strap holes; a colored coating; a plurality of printed warnings; a plurality of strip-and-stick tapes; said collapsible enclosure comprises a top portion, a lateral portion, and a bottom portion; said document storing volume being located within said collapsible enclosure; said document storing volume being delineated by said collapsible enclosure; said insertion window traversing through said top portion and into said document storing volume; and said transparent window cover being perimetrically adhered to said top portion around said insertion window.
 10. The shipping document protector box as claimed in claim 9 comprises, said lateral portion being positioned to both said top portion and said bottom portion; said top portion being perimetrically connected to said lateral portion; said bottom portion being perimetrically connected to said lateral portion opposite to said top portion; said window extension section being positioned on said top portion adjacent to said insertion window; said window extension section being delineated by said plurality of perforated lines; and said plurality of perforated lines traversing through said top portion.
 11. The shipping document protector box as claimed in claim 9 comprises, said at least one pair of strap holes traversing through said lateral portion; said at least one pair of strap holes being positioned adjacent to said bottom portion; said at least one pair of strap holes being diametrically opposed to each other on said lateral portion; each of said plurality of strip-and-stick tapes comprises an adhesion layer and a non-stick cover; said non-stick cover being attached across said adhesion layer; and said adhesion layer being connected to said bottom portion opposite to said non-stick cover.
 12. The shipping document protector box as claimed in claim 11 comprises, said at least one pair of strap holes comprises a first pair of strap holes and a second pair of strap holes; and said first pair of strap holes being positioned perpendicularly to said second pair of strap holes.
 13. The shipping document protector box as claimed in claim 9 comprises, said color coating being superimposed on said enclosure; and said plurality of printed warnings being positioned on said color coating.
 14. A shipping document protector box comprises, a collapsible enclosure; a document storing volume; an insertion window; a transparent window cover; a window extension section; a plurality of perforated lines; an at least one pair of strap holes; a colored coating; a plurality of printed warnings; a plurality of strip-and-stick tapes; said collapsible enclosure comprises a top portion, a lateral portion, and a bottom portion; said document storing volume being located within said collapsible enclosure; said document storing volume being delineated by said collapsible enclosure; said insertion window traversing through said top portion and into said document storing volume; said transparent window cover being perimetrically adhered to said top portion around said insertion window; said window extension section being positioned on said top portion adjacent to said insertion window; said window extension section being delineated by said plurality of perforated lines; said plurality of perforated lines traversing through said top portion; said at least one pair of strap holes traversing through said lateral portion; said at least one pair of strap holes being positioned adjacent to said bottom portion; said at least one pair of strap holes being diametrically opposed to each other on said lateral portion; each of said plurality of strip-and-stick tapes comprises an adhesion layer and a non-stick cover; said non-stick cover being attached across said adhesion layer; and said adhesion layer being connected to said bottom portion opposite to said non-stick cover.
 15. The shipping document protector box as claimed in claim 14 comprises, said lateral portion being positioned to both said top portion and said bottom portion; said top portion being perimetrically connected to said lateral portion; said bottom portion being perimetrically connected to said lateral portion opposite to said top portion; said color coating being superimposed on said enclosure; and said plurality of printed warnings being positioned on said color coating.
 16. The shipping document protector box as claimed in claim 14 comprises, said at least one pair of strap holes comprises a first pair of strap holes and a second pair of strap holes; and said first pair of strap holes being positioned perpendicularly to said second pair of strap holes. 